Control arrangement for electric switches



Dec. 15, 1931. F. T. coLDwELl.

CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES Original Filed April 27. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ill In! M .d N w n M a W H m W D 0 L /L E 0L ML au am nu rw fm K4 Re n nl me E/u Am s fo fw rL Mru Er 4A ML K/L f@ M P w m u. u M m .m y V t. FH u BR nP a P .MM ffm ,WEP r" 7.5L ,nl ,l L l ,l l cw www com. ww www www .WA RA, www .MA m4n WAH CH @Hm CHF 6H CHI CH bwuc d e ,f E@ WE o OO C OOO l HQ60/v His-3 Attorn ey.

Dec. 15, 1931 F. T. coLDWr-:LL 1,836,790

CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES Original Filed April 27. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 F//m L PuLL C/Rcu/ BMM/nr C'msfn HANDLE #ELE/asso fla/vals Hoff/zow ML FINAL Pu/.L

Invent-OPI FranKl-.Colciwel I, by l/LZa/J H is Attorneg.

Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED -sTATEs PATENT OFFICE FRANK T. COLDWELL, OF ALPLAUS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COM- PANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK f CONTROL ARRANGEMEN T FOR ELECTRIC SWTCHES Original application led April 27, 1927, Serial No. 187,080. Divided and this application tiled October 27, 1928. Serial No. 315,513.

My invention relates to improvements in control arrangements for electric switches and particularly circuit breakers. An object of my invention is to provide an improved control arrangement whereby there is always available until the next operation a definite indication of the last operation whether performed automatically or Vmanually and whereby a circuit breaker cannot be maintained closed under the conditions for which it is intended to be open.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 187 ,080, filed April 27 1927, for control of electric switches.

My invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective a control switch embodying my invention, Fig. 2 illustrates diagrammatically an embodiment of my invention in a circuit breaker control comprising the switch shown in Fig. 1, Figs. 3 a to f inclusive illustrate diagrammatically the different contact controllingpositions of the switch shown in Fig. 1 as applied to the circuit breaker control shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 illustrates' diagra mmatically another embodiment of my invention in a circuit breaker control comprising the switch shown in Fig. 1, and Figs. 5 a to f inclusive illustrate dia-` grammatically the different contact controlling positions of the switch shown in Fig. 1 as applied to the circuit breaker control shown in Fig. 4.

The control switch shown in Fig. 1 comprises an operating member, such as a shaft 10, arranged for both rotary and translatory movements, a rotatable member or contact controlling element which may be a sleeve 11 concentric with and rotatable on the shaft 10 and means mechanically interconnecting them so that the sleeve can be rotated only on the translation of the shaft after a predetermined angular movement thereof.

The shaft 10 is mounted for both the rotary and lengthwise movements in bearing plates 12, 13 which may be suitably secured to a base plate 14 so as to form a part of the switch frame. A tie plate 15 which may also serve as a. terminal and contact supporting member and is then preferably of insulating material, is secured to the bearing plates 12 and 13. For securing the switch to a panel, suitable fastening means such as screws 16 may be passed through an escutcheon plate 17 on one side of the panel, not shown, and through the panel into the bearing plate 13 on the other side of the panel. The shaft 10, which is also arranged to project through the panel, is biased for lengthwise movement in one direction, indicated by the arrow 18, by suitable means such as a spring 19. Secured to the shaft 10 is a contact controlling member comprising arms 20, 21 which are arranged when the shaft is moved lengthwise against the bias of the spring 19 respectively to bridge the contacts 22, 23 and 23, 24 according to the angular position of the shaft which may be turned substantially 90 in the direction indicated by the arrow 25 and also back again. The contacts 22. 23, 24 are mounted on the plate 15 and while the arms 20, 21 are shown as a single member they may be separate. Also secured to the shaft 10 is an operating handle or knob 26 on which, in order to accentuate the angular position of the shaft, I prefer to mount a strip of material 27 so contrasting with the color of the handle as to be easily distinguishable at a distance. With the handle oval shaped as shown, this gives not only a shape but also a color distinction as to the position of the handle.

The sleeve 11 by its rotation is arranged to control a plurality of contacts 28 to 35 inclusive which are mounted on the plate 15. For this purpose and in order to secure a predetermined sequence in the operation, the sleeve may comprise one or more cams 36 whose contour as shown is that of a circle minus a segment thereof. These cams 36 are arranged to actuate contact supporting members 37 which carry bridging contacts and which as shown are guided by the contacts and by central stems 38 which project through holes in the plate 15 and a bearing strip 39. The supporting members 37 are biased towards their respective cams by'suitable means such 23 to 33 are open when the conta-cts 34,35are closed and vice versa, an angular movement of 90O in thedirection indicated by the arrow 25V or the reverse rotation serving to shif from either to the'other.V

The interconnecting means for eectiiig .rotation of the sleeve 11 on rotation of the shaft V10 followed by lengthwise movement thereof in a directionk opposite that indicated by the arrow 18 comprises as shown a crank 41'secured to the shaft 10 andcarrying a 26 crank pin 42, a cra-nk 43 rotatably mounted on the shaft '10v but reciprocable therewith and carrying a crank pin 44, a resilient connection such as a tension spring vbetween the cranks 41 and 43, a cra-nk 46 secured to the sleeve v11 andfarranged to be enga-ged by the crank pin 44 and an interlock plate .47 Y

, mounted on the platei 15 and provided with Vses holes in the path of moveinentof the crank pin 44. The crank 41` as 'shown is arranged to permit Yalsubstantially 90 movement of the shaft 10 in the direction indicated by the arrow 25 and reverse. For this purpose andso `that the shaft-10 cannot be r tated after it Y has beenzinoved lengthwise a predetermined amount in a. direction opposite that indicated by the arrow 18, the, crank 41 is provided with slots48. 49 the extreme sides of whichare long enough to engage the lower portion of astop 50 mounted on the base pla-te14` 'Tliese slots are arranged to receive the higher'portion of the stop 50 when the shaft 10is retracted a predetermined amount.- Thusin the switch position shown in Fig. 1, the shaft 10 can be rotated'snbstantially 90o in the direction indicated by the arrow 25 until the longer side of the slot 49 enga-ges the lower portion ofthe stop 50 if the shaft is notretracted far enough to have both sides of theV Vslot 49 engage'the higher portion of the stop 50.? This'latter interlock occurs ,before the shaft 10 can be retracted sufficiently to close- Y' contacts 22, 23 or 23,24. The torsion spring 45 is support-eden the hub of thv'ecrank 43 and-is arranged-sotobias the cranks 4l and 43 end therefera the crank 46 that they tend.

toV as time the same angular position. For Y this purpose the free ends of the spring45 are Y arranged on opposite sides of the crank pins 42V Aand 44 with enoughV initial Y biasV 'toy hold the crank 41 with thelonger side of ione of the slots'48, 49 against the lower portion of thevjstop Y5,0. rlhe crank pin V44 'although rig- Vidlyfsecuredfto the crank j43is; movableY lengthwise Vin itsopeningfin the Vcrank 46 and Ytheholes'intlie plate 47 ln order toreduce the ,frictionbetween the cranks 43 and 46,r

they may be spa-ced by washers on the shaftk 26 against the bias of the spring1'9, the shaft Y.

cannot be turned since the slot 43 in the crank 41 willengagethe higher portion of the stop 50. lf the shaft 10 is retracted sufiiciently the contacts 22, 23 may bel bridged by the armV 20,3but no change will occur inthecontacts i controlled by the rotation of the sleeve 11. f a

lf,.liowever, the shaft 10 instead of being retracted is rotated by turning the handle in the direction indicated by the arrow 25,

energy will be storedin'the spring 45 andl Vtherotation will ceasewhen the-longiside of the slot 49 engages the lower portion ofthe stop 50. l The shaft 10 and, therefore, the ,Y crank 43 may nowrbe retracted Vveufhciently a to draw the crank pin 44 out of the hole inone side of the plate 47. In this retractive moveinent of the shaftlO, the contacts23,'24 ,are bridged by the arin 21 prier to the release of the crank pin 44, the contacts 22,23 and 24 being so mounted as to allow Yfurther re# tractive nioveinentof the'shaft after they are engagedfby v their respectivecircuit controlling arms.' ,On the release of thecrank pin 44'from Vtheplate 14'?, the cranks 43 and :43

and, therefore, the sleeve v11 will underthe bias of the spring 45gbe quickly rotated in the direction indicated by the, arrow 25 until the crank pin'44 registers withthe-hole in the vother side of the plate 47. Now when 'the handle 26 is released, the'shaft p10 and-thereforerthe crank pin :44 will under vthe bias of the spring i9 move in theV direction indicated by the arrow 18 and consequently thecrank pin 44 will pass through the. registering hole inthe plate 47, thus locking the vsleeve 11 against rotation. The rotation of the sleeve lleffected by the energy stored in theV spring 45 causes the opening ofthe contacts 34, 35

and the closing of the contactVpairscoinprising contacts 23" to 33 inclusive. The handle 23 and the strip 27 are now vertical and will Vso remain until the handle ispturnedin a 'di'- rection yopposite that indicatedby the arrow. 25' andY then retracted suiiiciently; to release-` theY crank pin 44 from its'holelin the rplate A Y lnthisreversed rotation subsequent, i -refgraction,v the contacts 22a-nd 23 are bridged by the circuitcontrollingv arm 20 andthe contacts 28 to135 inclusive restored to thelf1 condition shown Fig,V lrwithY theliandl-e 26 and strip 27 horizontal. This operation will be obvious from the preceding.

In Figs. 2 and 4, I have illustrated embodiments of my invention as applied to a latched closed type of circuit breaker 54 which is arranged to control a circuit 55 and which is provided with suitable opening and closing means. These are shown as comprising trip and closing coils 56 and 57 respectively. The circuit of the trip coil 56 may be controlled by means responsive to a condition of the circuit 55 such as an over-current relay 58 which is arranged to be energized in accordance with the current ina conductor of the circuit in any suitable manner as by a current transformer 59 in the case of an alternating current circuit. c The circuit breaker is also provided with auxiliary switches comprising contacts 60 and 61 which are arranged to be closed when the circuit breaker is open and vice versa and conta-cts 62 which are arranged to be closedwhen the circuit breaker is closed and open when it is open. Since the closing coil 57 may re- ,.f, quire a relatively large current, it is frequently preferable to control its circuit through a control relay 63 which is provided with contacts suitable for the purpose and which is of the instantaneous closing time delay vopening type so as to allow time for the latching of the circuit breaker.

In order to have a visual indication of the closing of the circuit breaker 54, there is provided a red lamp 64 whosek circuit is controlled by the auxiliary switch contacts 62 and which may be in series with the trip coil 56 to indicate a failure of the tripping circuit while the circuit breaker is closed. In order to have a visual indication of the opening of the circuit breaker, there is provided a white lamp 65 which is inseries with the auxiliary switch contacts and may also be in series with the'winding of the control relay 63 so as to indicate a failure of the control relay circuit while the circuit breaker is open. For an audible indication of the automatic opening of the circuit breaker 54,'that is by the operation of the relay 58 for example, there may be provided a suitable device such as a horn 66 which may serve for one or more circuit breakers.

For controlling the opening and closing means and the indicating means, I employ in accordance with my invention a control switch such as illustrated in Fig. 1 so arranged as to provide independently of the opera-tor an absolute indication of the last operation performed. In Figs. 2 to 5 the control switch is illustrated schematically for simplicity as a rectangle embracing merely the contacts 22, 23, 24 vand 28 to 35 inclusive together with the contact bridging members and 1. onnection arrangements of the contacts. Thus, for example, in Figs. 2. 3a, 4 and 5a, the control switch is illustrated with the contacts and bridging member in the condition shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now in particular to Figs. 2 and 3a to f inclusive, the contacts 22 and 35 are connected by a lead 67, the contacts 23 and 30 by a lead 68 and the contacts 24 and 32 by a lead 69. The circuit breaker 54 is open and the circuit of the white lamp 65 is completed as follows: the auxiliary switch contacts 61, the control relay 63, the conductor 70, the lamp 65, and the resistor 71. The resistor 71 is so chosen that the white lamp 65 is dimly lighted when all of the resistor is in series with the lamp. The control switch handle 26 is horizontal, the circuit of the horn 66 is open at contacts 28, 29, the circuit of the control relay 63 is open at the control switch contacts 23, 24 and also at the contacts 32 and 33, and the circuit of the trip coil 56 is open at the auxiliary switch contacts 62 and also at the control switch contacts 22, 23.

To close the circuit breaker 54, the handle 26 is turned in the direction of the arrow 25, Fig. 1, and pulled. The initial pull closes the contacts 23 and 24 through the arm 21 as shown in Fig. 3b and the final pull effects the rotation of the sleeve 11 thereby opening the contacts 34, 35 and closing the contact pairs comprising the contacts 28 to 33 inclusive as shown in Fig. 3c. The circuit of the control relay 63 is thereby completed through the contacts 32, 33 and 23, 24. Through this relay and the closin coil 57 the closing of the circuit breaker is e ected. The circuit of the horn 66 is' momentarily completed. This gives a test of the horn. The circuit of the white lamp 65 is momentarily completed through only a portion of the resistor 71 sufficient to permit a more intense illumination of the lamp. This gives a test of the lamp. The operating handle 26 is now vertical and the red lamp 64 is lighted. When the handle is released, the arm 21 opens the contacts 23, 24 as shown in Fig. 3d, thereby leaving the eircuit of the control relay 63 open in case the i' circuit breaker should open.

If the circuit breaker is tripped automatically, that is by the. relay 58, the circuit of the red lamp 64 is broken at the auxiliary switch contacts 62 and the circuit of the white lamp 65 is completed through the auxiliary switch contacts 61, the conductor 70, the lamp 65, the upper portion of the resistor 71, and the contacts 30, 31. In this case the lamp 65 gives a more intense indication than when the circuit breaker is tripped manually so that where several circuit breakersl are controlled from one switchboard, a mere glance at the switchboard will enable the operator to tell which of the circuit breakers has opened. 11"

This eliminates any necessity for distinguishable audible signals for the different circuit breakers. Consequently one audible indicator such as the horn 66 may be used for all the circuit breakers.

The circuit of the horn '66 is coinpletedthrough the auxiliary switch contacts 60 and tl e control switch contacts 28, 29. VVTo stop the hornY 66 and Areduce the Y intensity of the lamp 65, if the circuit breaker is to remain open, the operating'l handle 26 is turned oppositely to the Vdirection indicated by the arrow 25 in Fig. -l and pulled.

A 'The initial pullcloses the contacts 22 and 23 by the arm 2O asl shown in Fig. '3e andthe final pull effects the reverse rotation of the sleeve 1l thereby closing contactsf34 and 35 and-.opening the contact pairs comprisingthe contacts 28 to 33 inclusive as shown in. Fig.`

Thisopens the circuit of the horn 66at the contacts28, 29 and the-circuit of the control relay 63 at the contacts32, 33 and by opening the contacts 30, 31 cuts in all of the resistance 7l in the circuit of the white lamp 65'which therefore produces a less intense indicatiointhat is like the white lamps of other I circuit breakers which may be open. VVThe control switch handle 26 is now horizontal and when released returns to the position shown in Fig.' l. When the circuit breaker 54 is trippedbythe operation of the control switch, the circuit of the trip coil 56Vvis closed atthe contacts 34, v35 and 22, 23'by operating the control yswitch as described above in connection with `lligs. 3e and f. In this Vcase Vthehorn 66 is not sounded and the wliitela'mp 65 instead of showing bright and dim shows d-imonly. 1 l

' ln the'modiiication of my invention shown in Fig. 4, the control is such that the operator cannot maintain the circuit breaker 54 closed under the Vconditions for which it is intended Y to be open. `For-this purpose the connections diflierfroin those'in Fig. 3 Vand an auxiliary relay 72 is so arranged that the operator can-- nothold the circuit breaker closed or reclose the circuit breaker Y without first going through the tripping operation.

` lii'tliis case, the contacts 23 Vand 35 are con'- iiected 'by a lead 73, the contacts 23 and 30 by am 74, and the contacts 32 and'34 by a on when the auxiliary relay 72 is energized and its contacts 76'closed. .When the control mitch parts are positioned as shown in Fig. l and as indicated schematically inFigs.v 4

and a, the circiiitof the auxiliaryrelay72`is` completed when the circuit breaker'54`is open follows: auxiliary switch contacts 61,0011- dnctor 77, resistor 78,' relay 72, controlswitch contacts 34, 35 and V.leads 73 and 74. lf .the

Y Vcontrolswitch has not been operated to the tripping position indicatedinFigs. 4 Vand it willof'cloiir'se bev impossible for therelay 72 to close its contacts 76, since thecontrolswitcli contacts 34Y 35 will bei ooeii :lf

l 7 f L now the o 4erating handle 26 is turned in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. l and retracted, the control switch contacts 23 and24will be closedby the'arin 21. thus clos;

ing the circuit of the relay 72 through its contacts 23 and 24 before the control switch con-V thereby openingY the Vcircuits of both the control relay V`63and the 'auxiliary relay 72. Since the lattercan be energized only when the control switch contacts 34, 35 andthe auxiliary `switch contacts 6l are closed, the

operating handle'26 must be turnedopposited Aly to the direction indicated by the arrow 25 in Fig: landretracted to cause the rotation Vof the slee'veril.Y uring this operation as shown in Figs. 5c and f, the circuit ofthe trip coil 56 iscoinpleted as follows: the anXiliary switch contacts 62, the trip coil 56, the conductor 79, the control switch Vcontacts 22, 23 and the lead 74. Y The control switch handle 26 when released is horizontal and the control switchcontacts as indicated in Figs.

4 and 5c. Y Tliecircuits of l'the lamps 64 and Vand the horn 66 will be obvious by analogy n connectionA with thedel with tho-se' traced in scription of Fig. 2.

While l havevshown .and described my invention in considerable detail, l do not desire to bc limited to the exact arrangements shown, but seek to;coveriiiV the appended claims all those modifications that *fall with- Yin the trueV spirit-and scope of my invention.l

l/Vhat I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the yUnitedStr-,tes is r l. ln combination with an electric switch and means Vfor effecting the closing thereof, means'. for controlling said closing means comprising a rotatable Contact' controlling.

element and actuating ineans. therefor 'comprising a rotatableV and ltranslatable operating ynuernber-arranged Aon translation in one direction after rotation from ,one position toV another tofelect the actuationof said element from an initial position and when the circuit breaker is open the operation of the closing means and circuit controllingk means operative on the closing ofthe-'switch forpreventing another roperationof the closing means on translatory movement VVof the Operating member while in said other Vposition lconnected: tobe Voperated to circuit controlling position when the switch Vis open `and Ysaid element is VinV its initial position. f

Y V2. In combination, with a circuit breaker provided with a closing coil, means for con-V trolling the energiz'ationof said coil comprising a. rotatablel contact controllingv element and actuating means therefor comprising a rotatable and translatable operating member arranged on translation in one direction after rotation from one position to another to effect the actuation of said element from an initial position and when the circuit breaker is open the energization of said coil and means operative on the closing of the circuit breaker to effect the deenergization of said coil comprising a relay for preventing the reenergization of the coil on translatory movement of the operating member while in said other position connected to be energized when the circuit breaker is open and said element is in its initial position.

3. In combination with a circuit breaker provided with a closing coil, means for controlling the energization of said coil comprising a rotatable Contact controlling element and actuating means therefor comprising a. rotatable and lengthwise movable operating member biased for lengthwise movement in one direction and arranged on lengthwise movement in the opposite direction after a predetermined angular movement to effect the actuation of said element from an initial position and when the circuit breaker is open the energization of said coil and means operative on the closing of the circuit breaker to effect the deenergization of the coil comprising a relay arranged to be operated to circuit controlling position on the closing of the circuit breaker and connected to be operated from said circuit controlling position only on the opening of the circuit breaker and the lengthwise movement of the operating member in said opposite direction after a redetermined reverse angular movement thereof to return said element to its initial position.

4. In combination with an electric switch and means for effecting the opening thereof, means for controlling said opening means comprising a rotatable contact controlling element and actuating means therefor comprising a rotatable and translatable operating member arranged on translation in one direction after rotation from one position to eHect the operation of the opening means and an actuation of said element, means res onsive to a condition of a circuit controlle by said switch for effecting the operation of the opening means, means operative on the opening of the switch for indicating the opening thereof and means controlled by said element on the actuation thereof for causing said indicating means to give a different indication when the operation of the opening means is effected by the relay means than when effected by the cont-rolling means.

5. In combination with a circuit breaker provided with trip and closing coils, means for controlling the energization of said colls comprising a rotatable Contact controlling element and actuating means therefor comprising a yrotatable and translatable operating member arranged on translation in one direction after rotation from one position to effect an actuation of said element and the energization of said closing coil and on translation in said direction after rotation to said position to effect another actuation of said element and the energization of the trip coil, means responsive to an abnormal condition of a circuit controlled by said circuit breaker for effecting the energization of the trip coil, a lamp connected to be energized on the opening of the circuit breaker for indicating the opening thereof and means controlled by said element in accordance with the actuation thereof for causing the lamp to give more light when the energization of the trip coil is effected by the relay than when effected by the controlling means.

6. In combination with a circuit breaker provided with a trip coil, means for controlling the energization of said coil comprising a rotatable contact controlling element and actuating means therefor comprising a rotatable and translatable operating member arranged on translationV in one direction after rotation from one position to effect an actuation of said element and t-hc energization of the trip` coil, means responsive to an abnormal condition of a circuit controlled by said circuit breaker for effecting the energization of the trip coil, visual means operative on the opening of the circuit breaker for indicating the opening thereof and means controlled by said element on the actuation thereof for causing said visual means to give a more intense indication when the energizaticn of the trip coil is effected by the relay than when effected by the controlling means.

7. In combination, an electric circuit, means for controlling said circuit including a circuit breaker having a trip coil, fault responsive means operative on the occurrence of an abnormal condition on said circuit for effecting the energization of the trip coil, visual means connected to be energized on the opening of said circuit breaker for indicating the opening thereof, switching means for effecting the energization of said trip coil independently of said fault responsive means including a rotatable contact controlling element and actuating means therefor including arotatable and translatable operating member rotatable in one direction and then translatable to effect the energization of said trip coil and the rotation of said element from one contact controlling position to another, and means controlled by said element on rotation thereof to said other position for causing said visual means to give a less intense indication when the energization of the trip coil is eected by said switching means than when effected by the fault responsive means lWhile said element is in said one contact controlling position.

'8. In' combination, an electric circuit, v

means for controlling said circuit including i. a circuit breaker, fault responsive means operative on the occurrence of an abnormal condition on said circuit for electing the opening of said circuit breaker, means connected to be energized onthe opening of said circuit Vbreaker for indicating the opening thereof, switching means for effecting the opening of said circuitbreaker independently of said fault responsive meansl including a' rotatable Contact controlling element and actuating means therefor including a. rotatable. and translatable operating member rotatable in one direction and then translatable to effect the opening of said circuit breaker and the rotation of said element from one vContact.controlling positionto another, and

means controlled by said elementen rotation p' thereof to saidotherposition for causing said indicating means to give a different indication when the. opening of the circuit breaker iseected by said switching means than when effected by the faultrresponsive means While j said element is in said one contact controlling position. f Y

ln Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day-of October, 1928. i FRANK T. COLDVELL. 

